Breast cancer remains a leading global cause of cancer-related mortality among women, requiring the development of safer and more effective therapeutic strategies. Herbal medicines have gained increasing attention as complementary approaches due to their multi-targeted actions, more limited toxicities, and the potential ability to overcome resistance associated with conventional treatments. This review highlights the antitumor properties and underlying mechanisms of several well-studied herbal compounds, including curcumin, resveratrol, epigallocatechin gallate, withaferin A, thymoquinone, baicalin, berberine, Oldenlandia diffusa, and Salvia miltiorrhiza. These phytochemicals exert antitumor effects by inducing apoptosis, inhibiting cell proliferation and metastasis, modulating immune responses, and sensitizing tumor cells to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Furthermore, many of these agents regulate key signaling pathways, such as nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT, p53, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, and extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2, and the tumor microenvironment. Despite promising preclinical and early clinical evidence, challenges remain regarding the bioavailability, standardization, and large-scale clinical validation of these phytochemicals. This review underscores the therapeutic potential of herbal medicines in breast cancer treatment and advocates for further research to facilitate their integration into evidence-based oncology practice.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), a major subtype of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), is a significant global health burden owing to its late-stage diagnosis and poor prognosis. Recent advancements in molecular biology, genomics, and imaging have transformed the landscape of OSCC diagnosis and treatment. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of early molecular diagnostic strategies, including biomarker discovery using next-generation sequencing, liquid biopsy, and salivary exosomal microRNAs. In addition, we highlight the emerging role of non-invasive optical imaging technologies and their clinical integration for improved surgical precision and early lesion detection. This review also discusses evolving therapeutic approaches, including immunotherapy, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and patient-centered multimodal regimens tailored through molecular profiling. We emphasized balancing therapeutic efficacy with the quality of life in patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy. The convergence of multi-omics, artificial intelligence, and precision medicine holds promise for revolutionizing early detection and personalized treatment of OSCC, ultimately improving patient survival and clinical outcomes.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a highly aggressive malignancy characterized by complex interactions within the tumor microenvironment (TME) that facilitate immune evasion and tumor progression. The TME consists of diverse cellular components, including cancer-associated fibroblasts, immune and endothelial cells, and extracellular matrix elements, that collectively modulate tumor growth, metastasis, and resistance to therapy. Immune evasion in HNSCC is orchestrated through multiple mechanisms, including the suppression of cytotoxic T lymphocytes, recruitment of immunosuppressive cells, such as regulatory T and myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and upregulation of immune checkpoint molecules (e.g., PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4). Natural killer (NK) cells, which play a crucial role in anti-tumor immunity, are often dysfunctional within the HNSCC TME due to inhibitory signaling and metabolic constraints. Additionally, endothelial cells contribute to tumor angiogenesis and immune suppression, further exacerbating disease progression. Recent advancements in immunotherapy, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors and NK cell-based strategies, have shown promise in restoring anti-tumor immunity. Moreover, TP53 mutations, frequently observed in HNSCC, influence tumor behavior and therapeutic responses, highlighting the need for personalized treatment approaches. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the molecular and cellular mechanisms governing immune evasion in HNSCC with a focus on novel therapeutic strategies aimed at improving patient outcomes.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most prevalent bacterial infections in women, with high recurrence rates and growing concerns over antimicrobial resistance. The need for alternative or adjunctive therapies has spurred interest in plant-based treatments, which offer antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune-modulatory benefits. This review summarizes the mechanisms of action, clinical efficacy, and therapeutic potential of various medicinal plants and natural compounds for preventing and treating UTIs in women. Notable candidates include cranberry, bearberry, pomegranate, green tea, and other phytochemicals with proven anti-adhesive and biofilm-disrupting properties. Evidence from clinical trials and meta-analyses supports the role of cranberry natural products and traditional herbal medicines (THMs) in reducing UTI recurrence, especially when combined with antibiotics. Notably, A-type proanthocyanidins in cranberry and arbutin in bearberry are key bioactive compounds that exhibit potent anti-adhesive and biofilm-disrupting properties, offering promising adjunctive strategies for preventing recurrent urinary tract infections. Additionally, emerging therapies, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP), show promise in restoring bladder function and reducing infection in women with lower urinary tract dysfunction. Overall, plant-based strategies represent a valuable and well-tolerated complement to conventional therapies and warrant further investigation through high-quality clinical trials to validate their efficacy, safety, and role in personalized UTI management.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a prevalent and aggressive malignancy with poor prognosis, largely due to its high metastatic potential and resistance to conventional therapies. Recent advances in cancer biology have underscored the significance of regulated cell death pathways, including apoptosis, autophagic cell death (ACD), necroptosis, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis, in modulating tumor progression and therapeutic responses. This review provides the current insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying these cell death pathways and explores their therapeutic relevance in OSCC. Restoration of apoptosis using BH3 mimetics, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) receptor agonists, and p53 reactivators shows promise for sensitizing OSCC cells to treatment. Autophagy plays context-dependent roles in cancer, acting as a tumor suppressor during early carcinogenesis by maintaining cellular homeostasis, and as a tumor promoter in established tumors by supporting cancer cell survival under stress. Targeting necroptosis and pyroptosis has emerged as a novel strategy for inducing cancer cell death, with compounds such as acetylshikonin and okanin demonstrating antitumor effects. Additionally, the induction of ferroptosis via lipid peroxidation and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) inhibition offers a promising avenue for overcoming drug resistance, with agents such as quercetin and trifluoperazine exhibiting preclinical success. Integration of these therapeutic approaches may enhance the OSCC treatment efficacy, reduce chemoresistance, and provide novel prognostic biomarkers for clinical management. Future studies should focus on optimizing combinatorial strategies that effectively leverage these pathways to improve OSCC patient outcomes.

Malignant tumors remain one of the most significant global health challenges and contribute to high mortality rates across various cancer types. The complex nature of these tumors requires multifaceted diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. This review explores current advancements in diagnostic methods, including molecular imaging, biomarkers, and liquid biopsies. It also delves into the evolution of therapeutic strategies, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and novel targeted therapies such as immunotherapy and gene therapy. Although significant progress has been made in the understanding of cancer biology, the future of oncology lies in the integration of precision medicine, improved diagnostic tools, and personalized therapeutic approaches that address tumor heterogeneity. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of cancer diagnostics and treatments while highlighting emerging trends and challenges that lie ahead.